Swiss franc firms slightly versus dollar

30 May, 2006

The Swiss franc firmed slightly against the US dollar early on Monday in quiet holiday trading ahead of a raft of key Swiss economic data later in the week.
Markets are keen for a view as to the strength of the Swiss recovery ahead of the May KOF economic indicator to be published on Wednesday, followed the next day by first quarter GDP plus the purchasing managers' index and consumer price data for May.
This week is also heavy with high-profile US data, including the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index on Thursday and the monthly employment report on Friday.
The franc traded at 1.2247 to the dollar compared to Friday's US close of 1.2272, as both Switzerland and the US await important economic indicators.
The franc stood mostly unchanged compared to the European common currency, trading at 1.5611 compared to 1.5623 at the US Friday close. The euro last week took back some of the losses it suffered in late April, with strategists at Credit Suisse saying there were few chances for a reversal this week.
"Lower inflation coupled with expected solid economic data should provide little impetus for any significant countermove," Credit Suisse said in a note to investors.
Financial markets in London and the United States are closed on Monday for public holidays.

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